What is a digital receipt?

A digital receipt is an electronic receipt that a customer receives after a purchase instead of a traditional paper receipt. It is usually sent by email or SMS and contains the same information as a printed receipt – e.g. date, time, items, VAT and the total amount. Digitising receipts lets you offer customers a more environmentally friendly and practical solution, while the business gets easier access to sales data and bookkeeping.

Many restaurants and cafés today use modern POS systems (till systems) that can automatically send digital receipts to the customer once payment is complete. All it takes is for the customer to provide their contact details (typically an email address or mobile number).

A practical example

Imagine a customer paying for dinner at a café. At the till, the staff ask whether the customer would like a digital receipt. The customer gives their email address, and after payment they immediately receive an email with the receipt. The receipt is saved in the customer's inbox, where it is easy to find again when needed – e.g. for a return or as documentation for their company's accounts.

Why is it important for you to know the term?

When you work with a POS system, it is important to understand terms such as digital receipt, because it affects both the customer experience and daily operations. A digital receipt streamlines checkout, minimises paper use and makes it easier to handle later questions about purchases. It can also save time in customer service and supports a greener profile for your business – something more and more customers appreciate.

A digital receipt can also be a prerequisite for issuing a credit note, for example if the customer wants to return an item or has paid too much. In that context you should also know the term electronic receipt, which is often used as a synonym.

How does Flexybox use digital receipts?

The Flexybox POS system supports digital receipts as an integrated part of the payment flow. When a customer completes a payment, staff can immediately send the receipt by SMS or email – with no need for a physical printer. This makes customer service more environmentally friendly while giving the customer access to a receipt wherever they are. The feature is especially useful for cafés and restaurants with busy service or takeaway, where time is short and the need for efficient service is high.

Read more about related terms:

Read also about electronic receipts

Read also about credit notes

Frequently asked questions

In most countries a digital receipt can be used as documentation for complaints, bookkeeping or customer service, but receipt rules differ per country, so check with your national tax authority.

Yes, the customer must give active permission – e.g. by providing an email address or mobile number – before the receipt may be sent digitally.

Absolutely. You save time, reduce paper use and offer more modern, convenient customer service.

Yes. The Flexybox POS system makes it easy to send digital receipts directly to the customer's phone or email after payment.